Davis: Day 3 on “The Rock”

AOY points leader Mark Davis' Day 3 on Table Rock Lake was nothing if not consistent, with a steady day of fish catches.

Mark Davis’ day started in the fog.
Mark Davis’ day started in the fog.
But it also started with a flurry that virtually lasted all day.
But it also started with a flurry that virtually lasted all day.
Davis quickly began catching fish, catching a limit on his first stop, waiting for the fog to burn off.
Davis quickly began catching fish, catching a limit on his first stop, waiting for the fog to burn off.
He spent much of his morning well up the White River.
He spent much of his morning well up the White River.
And much of the day pulling in keeper largemouth.
And much of the day pulling in keeper largemouth.
It seemed at every stop, he would quickly hook up.
It seemed at every stop, he would quickly hook up.
And put fish in the boat.
And put fish in the boat.
In many of those places, he would catch fish on back-to-back casts.
In many of those places, he would catch fish on back-to-back casts.
The area was vibrant enough that other fishermen were there as well.
The area was vibrant enough that other fishermen were there as well.
Although they wouldn’t stick around long.
Although they wouldn’t stick around long.
Davis primarily worked a single lure all day.
Davis primarily worked a single lure all day.
The soft plastic was fished shallow and deep.
The soft plastic was fished shallow and deep.
And in both places he continued to catch fish.
And in both places he continued to catch fish.
Wes Miller captures some of the action from the bank.
Wes Miller captures some of the action from the bank.
Before Davis moves to another spot.
Before Davis moves to another spot.
And starts catching them again.
And starts catching them again.
During the course of the day, he would catch as many as 50.
During the course of the day, he would catch as many as 50.
And on some banks, he said he got a bite on every cast, even if the fish didn’t fully take his bait.
And on some banks, he said he got a bite on every cast, even if the fish didn’t fully take his bait.
But enough of them did take it.
But enough of them did take it.
Davis was catching fish all day.
Davis was catching fish all day.
Some made mighty splashes.
Some made mighty splashes.
Others, not so big.
Others, not so big.
Davis’ rod was constantly in bent mode.
Davis’ rod was constantly in bent mode.
Reeling in fish.
Reeling in fish.
Then swinging them aboard.
Then swinging them aboard.
Unfortunately, they were almost all the same size.
Unfortunately, they were almost all the same size.
Davis, though, stuck with what he was doing.
Davis, though, stuck with what he was doing.
Every sign, literal and figurative, told him there were plenty of fish to be caught.
Every sign, literal and figurative, told him there were plenty of fish to be caught.
He just hoped to wade through all the small ones.
He just hoped to wade through all the small ones.
Which seemed to be everywhere.
Which seemed to be everywhere.
He held onto hopes of catching a bigger fish.
He held onto hopes of catching a bigger fish.
This fish would be one of those.
This fish would be one of those.
It would help him cull several ounces.
It would help him cull several ounces.
And then the wading through the small ones would start over.
And then the wading through the small ones would start over.
Fish after fish would be caught.
Fish after fish would be caught.
Fish after fish would splash about.
Fish after fish would splash about.
And fish after fish would come aboard.
And fish after fish would come aboard.
Some would allow him to cull.
Some would allow him to cull.
But it would only be ounces.
But it would only be ounces.
By the end of the day, with 50 caught fish he could only manage 11-12.
By the end of the day, with 50 caught fish he could only manage 11-12.